FAS - Physics and Astronomy

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a PhD, a PhD with an Area of Concentration in Applied Physics or an Area of Concentration in Chemical Physics, and an MS. The graduate program provides a broad experimental, observational, and theoretical foundation upon which students build careers as scientists prepared for both teaching and research.

Contact Information

Department Chair: David Jasnow

Main Office: 100 Allen Hall

Phone: (412) 624-9066 or 624-9000

Fax: (412) 624-9163

E-mail: gradsec+@phyast.pitt.edu

Web site: http://www.phyast.pitt.edu/

Research

A program of graduate studies leading to the PhD requires the submission and acceptance of a PhD thesis presenting a significant independent project that advances knowledge or techniques in the field. It is usually desirable to join an existing research group, either within the department or in another department that does research that is appropriate for a thesis in physics or astronomy. Below is a description of some of the areas of research, both theoretical and experimental, that are currently available within the department.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

The department has programs in extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, stellar astrophysics, and astrometry. Astrophysicists, with expertise in extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, study the large-scale structure and evolution of the universe and galaxies. They conduct programs to discover and study quasars and active galactic nuclei by using observations and models. In other observational programs, X-ray, UV, optical, and IR studies using the most powerful and modern telescopes have been made at leading observatories. The department's work with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey will clarify the understanding of the evolution of the universe. Development of novel state-of-the-art techniques will help us to identify and understand new populations of stars, galaxies, and astronomical phenomena. Astrometric studies made at the University of Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory include trigonometric parallax studies and searches for planets outside the solar system.

Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics

The research activities in experimental Atomic Physics range from fundamental studies of quantum dynamics to basic studies of atomic collisions and atmospheric physics. The department's theoretical atomic physicist studies interactions of photons with atoms and ions. The department's research program in aeronomy seeks to elucidate thermospheric wind patterns in the upper atmospheres of Earth. Experimental investigations are conducted on electron-ion recombination reactions between thermal electrons and molecular ions. Aeronomical field work, such as ground-based and rocket-based ultraviolet spectroscopy of measurements of emissions from the upper atmosphere, auroras, and from the bow shocks of re-entering space craft, provides a wealth of information on the chemical and physical processes in the atmosphere.

Condensed-Matter and Solid State Physics

Experimental research activities range from nonlinear physics and fluid turbulence, to excitonic condensation in semiconductors, to domain wall kinetics, to materials physics, and to surface science. Theoretical research ranges from dissipation in quantum systems, to disordered systems, to pattern forming dynamics, to the behavior of complex fluids. Semiconductor and solid-state research includes such activities as exploring two- and three-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensation in excitonic systems, imaging research, and investigations of silicon carbide semiconductors. Electronic and optical properties of materials at nanometer length scales are explored by confocal scanning optical microscopy and an apertureless near-field scanning optical microscope that allows the visualization of domain motion at nearly atomic length scales. Multi-disciplinary research is performed at the Surface Science Center using a wide range of surface physics and chemistry experiments which use newly developed probes for studying metallic semiconductors and insulator substrates. Experiments on low dimensional fluid turbulence, on instabilities in complex fluids, and of biologically motivated systems are all part of experimental research activities in soft condensed-matter physics. Condensed-matter theory ranges from statistical mechanics to cosmology, including disordered (random) systems, phase transitions in non-equilibrium systems, non-equilibrium growth phenomena in phase separating complex systems, interface dynamics, "natural history" from the nonlinear dynamics perspective, dissipation in quantum systems, and applications of the real-time approach to expansion in cosmology.

General Relativity

Theoretical research includes the search for the quantum theory of the gravitational field (quantum gravity), the study of the behavior of families of light rays in curved space-times, and the development of computational tools to simulate how binary black holes inspiral, merge, and emit gravity waves.

High-Energy Physics

Theoretical research centers on problems in quantum field theory of relevance to particle accelerators. The fundamental theory of strong interactions (Quantum Chromodynamics or QCD) is applied through lattice Monte Carlo simulations. Numerical, nonperturbative, and perturbative methods are employed to study a variety of problems. The experimental group performs its experiments at accelerators located at national and international laboratories. Recent evidence suggests that neutrinos, among the poorest understood particles in the Standard Model, actually have a small but non-zero mass. Other experiments are seeking to observe the only undetected fundamental fermion, the tau-neutrino, and to study the production and properties of massive quarks such as the "top," "bottom," and "charm" quarks. The group also performs studies of possible violations of laws governing particle decay when the decay involves electrons and muons.

Intermediate Energy Physics

This group studies the basic building blocks of matter using beams of elementary particles to explore the internal structure of nucleons. High flux and highly polarized beams are used to test QCD and fundamental symmetries in nature. Predicting and measuring the excited states of the nucleon is a challenging problem in QCD. The theoretical research program studies the microscopic structure of baryon spectroscopy where, due to the short life of excited baryons, refined quantum mechanical descriptions of the initial and final states are needed to learn about these baryon states. Experimentalists work toward the production of a complete description of baryon spectroscopy at Jefferson National Laboratory using the CLAS detector and lead the analysis of a variety of experiments in meson production with electron and polarized photon beams to explore the quark-gluon structure of the baryons.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) group works on ground-breaking, ultrafast imaging techniques, which permit the observation of both streamline and turbulent fluid flow to provide means for studying the nature of fluid flows in both physical simulations and animals.

Nuclear Physics

Experimental research in this field consists of research on the high-spin states of rotational nuclei, which tests fundamental ideas of the interplay between collective and single particle degrees of freedom in deformed (non-spherical) nuclei. A novel array of internal conversion electron spectrometers has been developed here to be used with the premier multiple gamma-ray detector systems.

Educational Group

An advantage of a research university is that students are exposed to ideas at the frontiers of physics and astronomy. The Educational Group holds research grants in the field of innovative science education to increase students' interest in physics at both pre-college and college levels.

Facilities

The department's facilities are located in a complex of five interconnected buildings: Allen Hall, Old Engineering Hall, Space Research Coordination Center, Thaw Hall, and the Nuclear Physics Laboratory. The department also maintains the Allegheny Observatory, located a few miles from the campus. Access to the University's computer system is provided by personal computers and several computer rooms. The Department's two parallel computers allow large calculations to be performed within the department. We also have access to the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC), rated recently as the most powerful academically based supercomputer in the country. Experimentalists perform research at preeminent national, international, and space based laboratories and observatories.

Admissions

Admission to graduate study in the Department of Physics and Astronomy requires the satisfactory completion of most of the advanced undergraduate courses in the following: mechanics, electricity and magnetism, modern physics, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, differential equations, and advanced calculus.

To be considered for admission, a student must have earned a baccalaureate degree in physics, astronomy, or some related field; must have an impressive undergraduate record; and must submit a complete application. A completed application also serves as an application for financial aid, if the candidate so desires. The application package includes:

Financial Assistance

Financial aid is normally provided to graduate students through teaching or research assistantships. In addition, several competitive fellowships are available for entering students. All qualified applicants are automatically entered into a pool for these fellowships. Additional fellowships are awarded on the basis of a University-wide competition. The department endeavors to support all students throughout their entire graduate career, provided good academic standing is maintained. Detailed information may be obtained by contacting the department.

Degree Requirements

The minimal requirements established by the Graduate Faculty of the University, as described under General Academic Regulations beginning, and any additional requirements of FAS Graduate Studies described under FAS Degree Requirements, should be read in conjunction with program-specific degree requirements described in the following sections. Additional information is contained in the departmental brochures, "Graduate Studies and Requirements for the PhD" and "MS Degree and Department of Physics and Astronomy," both of which may be obtained from the departmental office.

Requirements for the Master's Degree

A candidate for the Master of Science degree in either Physics or Astronomy must pass the appropriate MS comprehensive examination (often the same as the PhD preliminary examination), must maintain a quality point average of at least 3.00, and complete a minimum of 24 credits. MS students may elect either a thesis or a non-thesis program as detailed below:

1. Submit a thesis, in which case only six courses at the 1170 level or beyond are required.
2. Submit no thesis, in which case eight courses at the 1170 level or beyond are required.
3. Submit no thesis and take six courses at the 2513 level or beyond (reading courses or other academic work will be assigned by the department to enable the student to accumulate the requisite 24 credits in this option).
4. Submit a thesis and take five courses at the 2513 level or beyond (reading courses or other academic work will be assigned by the department to enable the student to accumulate the requisite 18 credits in this option).

No more than two non-physics courses at the 1170 level or beyond can be approved as credit for the MS degree.

Requirements for the PhD Degree

The PhD programs in Physics and Astronomy aim to assure that the graduates are well versed in the fundamentals of their fields, have a broad knowledge of contemporary developments, and are experts in the techniques and current state of the subject area of their research. Dissertation research, a major part of the PhD program, should contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge or the techniques of research in the field. Requirements on teaching, the presentation of seminars, and writing a dissertation serve to give the candidates some experience in the effective communication of their work.

The preliminary examination is taken in the spring term by all first-year graduate students. It is a written examination and covers advanced undergraduate material only. The comprehensive examination is also taken in the spring by second-year graduate students and some well-prepared first-year students. It is a written examination based on the core graduate courses. Students are not required to take the Comprehensive Examination during their first year unless they have been admitted with advanced standing. In addition to passing the comprehensive examination, the PhD candidate must be judged satisfactory in at least three credit hours of teaching.

Independent Study Plan

Under this plan, an exceptionally able and well-motivated student may prepare for the examination and the completion of requirements without formal registration in the courses. Such a student would be assigned to a faculty member who would guide the student in a private course of study and meet with the student in frequent tutorial sessions. A student following this plan would be allowed freedom to attend courses as an auditor but must be registered for directed or independent study. Except in unusual cases, students will not be admitted to this plan until they have demonstrated their abilities by formal enrollment in the conventional manner for at least one term.

Course Listings

The formal course offerings in the department are listed below. The undergraduate and the graduate core courses are offered every year, as are some of the more popular advanced courses. Other physics courses and the astronomy courses are given in alternate years or only occasionally, depending, in part, on student interest. Reading courses and independent studies may be arranged.

Undergraduate Courses in Physics Carrying Graduate Credit

PHYS 1170, 1171 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I and II

PHYS 1172 Electromagnetic Theory

PHYS 1173 Mathematical Methods of Physics

Core Graduate Courses in Physics

PHYS 2513 Classical Mechanics

PHYS 2541, 2542 Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics

PHYS 2555, 2556 Classical Electricity and Magnetism

PHYS 2565, 2566 Non-relativistic Quantum Mechanics

PHYS 2675 Graduate Laboratory

Other Graduate Courses in Physics

PHYS 2274 Computational Physics

PHYS 2997 Teaching of Physics/Astronomy (Required of all new graduate students)

PHYS 2998 Teaching of Physics/Astronomy, Practicum (Required of all graduate students)

Advanced Graduate Courses in Physics

PHYS 3706 Atomic Structure and Interactions

PHYS 3707 Intermediate Quantum Mechanics

PHYS 3713 Quantum Optics

PHYS 3715, 3716 Solid-state Physics

PHYS 3717, 3718 Advanced Nuclear Physics

PHYS 3723, 3724 Contemporary Particle Physics

PHYS 3725, 3726 General Relativity

PHYS 3765 Relativistic Quantum Mechanics

PHYS 3766 Field Theory

PHYS 3767 Topics in Particle Physics

Undergraduate Courses in Astronomy (and Geology) Carrying Graduate Credit

ASTRON 1120 Stars, Stellar Structure, and Stellar Evolution

ASTRON 1121 Galaxies and Cosmology

ASTRON 1263 Techniques of Astronomy

GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets

Graduate Courses in Astronomy

ASTRON 2101 Introduction to Astrophysics

ASTRON 3701 Radiation Processes in Astrophysics

ASTRON 3705 Astronomical Techniques

ASTRON 3750 Stellar Structure

ASTRON 3751 Interstellar Medium

ASTRON 3780 Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy

ASTRON 3785 Cosmology

In addition to the courses listed here, special topics courses are offered periodically. The selection of these courses depends on faculty and student interest. Examples of special topics courses include: